The really good stories have to be read more than once. That is what makes them really good stories. They’re full of depth and imagination. It’s impossible to catch everything on the first time through. I think the writers intended that way. They want you to come back and visit them again and again. To discover new layers that you didn’t notice before. To really become a part of the world that they have created.

I have experienced this first hand with my favorite deities of books: the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. I have these books on audio. I have listened to each one more than 100 times. They are read by some the most amazing vocal actors there are. The first time through the books you spend just listening to the story. The next time or the next few times you listen or read, you start to pick up on all of the nuances of the story. You notice all the little things that they put in to entice you and move the story along. The world that they’ve created starts to come alive because you know the story and now you can pay close attention to the details.

I’ve also read books were the details of the story feel forced. It’s hard enough to get through the book the first time much less to pick it up again. The characters don’t act as they should. The plot turns and twists in ways that are unnatural. The world that the author creates isn’t enticing at all. How these books get published is a mystery. How people make it to the end of them is a greater mystery.

Do you agree? What books are you in love with? Which ones have you read over and over?

I was in the store not long ago looking around. There was a man there with his children. Every couple of seconds he would tell them in a loud voice, “Put that down! We are not here to look at that!” He would then browse on and his kids would pick up something else. He yelled the same thing to them. Over and over he felt the need to belittle his children in public. THe kids were being kids. They were not loud. They were not disruptive. They were just touching stuff. Unimportant stuff at that.

It makes me wonder, if he is like that in a store with people around, what is he like with them when no one is watching? Most people put on a good front in public, not this guy. Strangely enough his kids seemed mostly unfazed by it. This leads me to think that they ignore him, until they can’t anymore. THey ignore until he gets so loud and obnoxious that they have to conform.

It has made me think. I do not want to cast stones if I am guilty of the same things. Who am I when no one is watching? Am I worthy of my son’s respect? I know this…I strive to be.

Could 5 bucks really have prevented this?

We have had a leak in our bathroom for a little while now. I have kept it maintained and there hasn’t been any lasting damage, but I put off really finding out what the problem was until this morning. The solution? A 5 dollar part.

Fortunately this was a small drip and not a major issue? But, how many other things in life do we ignore only later to find out that major damage has been done because we didn’t address the issue when it was a five dollar problem?

I can think of many other examples of this. Addressing a cavity early prevents a root canal later. Frequent oil changes will prolong the life of the motor and prevent early breakdown. Apologizing and making things right today will keep a marriage far way from divorce later.

Moral of the story? Fix it while it is small and prevent a huge flood in the bathroom later.

The chance to be home with the ones I love. No. It isn’t ideal right now. However, if I have to be stuck somewhere for a protracted period of time…I want to to be with my wife and son.

I have found that some of the best conversations that I have had are because I was trying to show an act of kindness to the other person. If someone can sense that you care, they are much more willing to open up into conversation. They will definitely be glad that you talked to them.

I went through the line of a restaurant at lunch a couple of days ago. The lady running the register looked like she had had a rough day. You know the look I am referring to. She had had it rough and needed a break. As I got to the counter, she covered her mouth and let out a big yawn. I could tell that this would be a good opportunity to make her smile.

As she looked back at me, I smiled from ear to ear and said, "It is only noon. You must have started early and haven't caught a break." She smiled back at me. Her spirit lifted just a bit. What I said was not spectacular, but it was purposeful. I validated that she was a hard worker and that she had been doing her job. Someone had noticed. Someone cared. By smiling at her and showing her sincerity, I filled a need that she had.

So, the question is: When you talk to people, what do they need? It may be a laugh. It may be encouragement. They may just need someone else to acknowledge that they are there and important enough to speak to. People all around us need our contact. Practice it and let it become second nature.

I don't walk around all the time looking to have random conversation. However, I do want to know this about folks: what do they need? I do want the best for people. Because of that, I try my best to be a good conversationalist. If in the discussion I hear of a need. I want to help. If I fill a need they have, good.